Berlin — US President Barack Obama, on a farewell visit to Europe, said Thursday he hoped Donald Trump would "stand up" to Russia but added he was "cautiously optimistic" about his successor in the White House. Speaking in Berlin, Obama also praised as an "outstanding" international partner his host Angela Merkel, seen by many as a new standard bearer of liberal democracy as the world tensely awaits how Trump will reshape the global order. In a joint press conference, Obama and Merkel stressed their common stance for a strong Nato defence alliance, free trade and action on climate change, as Western leaders brace for potentially radical changes with Trump moving into the Oval Office in January. Citing the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, Obama stressed that he hoped Trump, who has voiced admiration for President Vladimir Putin, "is willing to stand up to Russia where they are deviating from our values and international norms". He said Russia was a military superpower with influence a...
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